ARTIST BIO

Samantha Kosakowski is a multi-disciplinary artist and Arkansas State University Fine Arts instructor based in Germany. Her work is driven by a deep concern for the natural world and the impact of technology and climate change on our environment. By exploring these themes through her art, she aims to foster a greater appreciation for the beauty and fragility of nature and to encourage reflection on our relationship with the planet.

Samantha incorporates local botanicals, handmade pigments, and ethically sourced butterfly wings into many of her pieces, highlighting the interconnectedness of natural materials and artistic practice. She works across a range of mediums, including cyanotype photography, drypoint printmaking, and watercolor, which invite viewers to slow down and engage with the delicate details of the world around them. Her process emphasizes reverence for the environment and an enduring commitment to exploring the transformative power of art in times of ecological change.

Samantha also owns Kosakowski Studio, a private studio based in Ramstein, Germany. Through her collaborations with the USO, Wounded Warrior Project, and her local artist cooperative, she is dedicated to cultivating a lasting art community by offering engaging art activities and in-depth art history classes for all ages and skill levels. Her studio programs are designed to inspire creativity, build artistic confidence, and make art education accessible and engaging for the military community and the surrounding area.

Samantha earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Printmaking and Jewelry Fabrication/Metalsmithing from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina in 2007, and her Master of Fine Arts in printmaking from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 2013. She currently exhibits her work internationally, with pieces held in numerous public and private collections.

INTERACTIVE DEMO | Cyanotype Photography

Cyanotype, also known as sun printing, is a 19th-century photography process using sunlight and chemicals to develop an image on paper, fabric, and other materials. Once the image is developed, it creates a vibrant Prussian Blue color. The demonstration incorporates fresh flowers, fabric, stencils and found objects to create unique images. Each participant will create a mini-print to take home.